The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revised the timetable for the 2027 general elections, moving the Presidential and National Assembly polls to January 16, 2027.
The adjustment follows the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which introduced new statutory timelines governing the conduct of elections in Nigeria.
In a statement issued Thursday night in Abuja, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the Commission reviewed and realigned its schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework.
Under the revised timetable, Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will now hold on February 6, 2027. The updated dates mark a significant departure from INEC’s earlier plan, which had scheduled the presidential election for late February and state-level polls for March 2027.
The changes also affect off-cycle elections. INEC confirmed that the Osun State Governorship Election, initially fixed for August 8, 2026, has been shifted to August 15, 2026. The Commission noted that while certain preparatory activities for the Ekiti and Osun polls have already been concluded, outstanding processes will be executed strictly in line with the 2026 Act.
Beyond election dates, the new timetable introduces a compressed schedule for political parties. Party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will commence on April 23, 2026, and must be concluded by May 30, 2026.
Campaign periods have also been clearly defined. Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will begin on August 19, 2026, while Governorship and State House of Assembly campaigns will start on September 9, 2026.
Haruna urged political parties and stakeholders to exercise discipline during the transition, stressing that strict adherence to the revised timelines is mandatory. He affirmed that the Commission would enforce compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
